CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1992
A City Council Workshop was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 8:05 P.M.
In attendance: Councilman Canavan
Councilman Ferri
Councilman Matthews
Councilwoman Moreau
Councilman Paquette
Council President Canavan presided.
Councilman Matthews commented on page 12 section 210.2 (Addition Enlargement, Expansion and Intensification - Residential Uses) he stated that this section was vague and needed better wording.
Discussion of this subject ensued.
Councilman Matthews spoke on section 301 of page 13 (Use Code) William Siemers commented.
Discussion continued.
C-1 Zones were then the center of discussion. Questions relative to no apartments in C-1 zones continued and the Council changed the no status to a yes status.
Councilman Matthews questioned the use regulation table # 28 relative to cemetaries on page 17. He stated that this should be no in all zones with the present cemetery being a non conforming use.
Councilwoman Moreau agreed. Discussion ensued. The Council agreed that a change to no in all zones would be made.
Councilman Ferri question number 32 "Spectator Assembly" relative to an M-1 zone. Discussion continued. The Council agreed to leave the present zone stipulation on Spectator Assembly. The Council changed the use regulation of number 33 "Outdoor Recreation Facility" to the following: M-1 change from Y to S and M-2 change from N to Y.
Number 45 "Repair Service" was discussed and it was decided that the following change would be made: M-1 from Y to S.
Number 65.1 "Wireless transmitting and receiving antennae, including satellite dish type relative to Residential zones was discussed. The Council decided that the R-1, R-2 & R-3 would be changed from N to Y with guidelines.
Number 66 Power Plant relative to M-1 zone was changed from S to N.
Number 66.1 Incinerator and Waste Facility. The Council discussed in detail the zoning relative to this facility. Councilwoman Moreau expressed her views and stated that she was in favor of placing a No in all zones. Councilman Ferri and Councilman Matthews agreed.
Councilman Paquette commented. Council President Canavan expressed his views relative to this zoning. He also spoke on the non-binding referendum which was passed by the voters of the City. Further discussion ensued. The Council changed the zoning of M-2 from S to N.
Number 74, 74.1 and 74.2 for M-2 was changed from Y to S.
Number 77.2 was discussed and it was agreed that Asbestos be removed from this section and 77.4 would be entitled Asbestos would be created and that all zones would be given an N.
Number 84 "Plated Ware" was discussed and it was agreed to remove this from this section and create 84.2 Plating and that all zones would be given N.
Councilman Matthews questioned section 502.2 Screening of on ground Utilities.
Bill Siemers responded.
Councilman Matthews questioned section 505 Outdoor displays of Merchandise - Yard sales. Discussion ensued and the Council decided that wording relative to yard sales would be made open-ended.
Councilman Matthews asked that section 506.2 number 1 be omitted.
The Council agreed.
The remainder of the meeting was centered around section 514.2 Home Occupations.
Assistant City Solicitor James Briden warned of the possibility of litigation if this section was made too broad. He also stated that there was a greater potential for abuse and congestion.
Council President Canavan opened the meeting to the Public at 10:28 P.M.
Mr. Len Nadeau spoke on his present home occupation which he has operated for the past 30 years.
Councilman Paquette questioned Mr. Nadeau.
Kenneth Castle of River St. spoke in favor of this section stating that it was enforceable and that rules were needed in this area. He commented that an open ended and undefined home occupation section of the zoning ordinance would be less enforceable and would create serious situations.
Norman DeGulio a member of the Planning Board stated that this section protects the right of the individual to operate a business while also providing for the protection of the neighbor and the Community.
City Council President Canavan closed the public hearing at 10:36 P.M.
Charles Pytel commented on home occupations.
Councilman Matthews asked that the word wares be removed from this section.
Discussion continued.
Council President Canavan opened the meeting to public comment at 10:45 P.M.
Gertrude Chartier spoke against multiple dwellings having home occupations. She stated that the new section is to broad.
Ronald Doucette of 74 Perry St. commented on home occupation and reminded that Council that Minimum Housing would have to enforce these regulations. He asked if this would create the need for search warrants and how would they make the law enforceable.
Carolyn Sheehan of 86 Summit St. commented on the problems which will arise from home occupation in multiple dwelling units. She also spoke in the vacant store fronts and the business zone.
Councilman Matthews commented that home occupation was in regards to carpenters, bricklayers etc. not variety stores and the such. He commented on this section of the Ordinance limiting the number of persons who can be self-employed.
Gertrude Chartier commented on her neighbors who had trucks parked on the street and woke neighbors at 7:00 A.M. when he started them and his occupation was that of a contractor.
James Briden spoke on the safety factors and Children walking to School etc.
Councilwoman Moreau commented.
William Siemers commented.
Mrs. Chartier commented on enforcement.
Ronald Doucette commented on the noise ordinance.
Public hearing closed at 10:58.
Workshop adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
The next workshop is scheduled for March 16, 1992 at 7:00 P.M.
Daniel J. Issa, City Clerk